Health Heroes
Output: 30 Athlete Leaders trained and serving as Health
Advocates amongst their peers, at SO events and on
public platforms
Rationale:
• Peer to peer education is often most effective
• Integrates ALP’s programme in to Healthy Communities
• Widens volunteer base at screenings
• Ongoing health promotion impact for athlete leaders
and their fellow athletes post screening
• Athletes trained and ready to engage with stakeholders
& sponsors when required
Process
• Athlete Leaders are selected prior to a screening and
trained the day before the screening
• Health Heroes receive shirts and pledge badges and
are assigned to a specific discipline at the screening
(we have prioritised HP, SS, FunF & FF but it can be
expanded to all disciplines)
Process
• Health Heroes then provide interactive health
education at the end of the discipline where
they are assigned. The education involves
giving info as well as asking questions to
determine level of understanding.
• Finally, the athlete is asked to make a pledge
to improve their health e.g. “I pledge to brush
my teeth twice a day”. On doing so, the
athlete receives a pledge badge.
Notes
• Program can be expanded within some
disciplines eg Health Promotion may have a
sun safety Health Hero, a hand washing Health
Hero, a hydration Health Hero etc
• Athlete selection is important – language,
communication skills, reflect good health,
positive attitude etc